A big, puffy jacket best reserved for cold places, winter camping or the chronically cold. It's a bit bulky for skiing with, but at rest stops or at camp its high warmth to weight ratio will be appreciated.

FULL REVIEW

ValueYes, this is the most expensive down jacket in the test, but it is also the warmest and most fully featured, without feeling obese. You’re looking at a legit Alaskan puffer, although you’re going to pay for all that down. (Not as much as the geese, though.)

WarmthThis was by far the warmest jacket in the test, good down to 15F with just a T-shirt. The 800-fill down is powerful, compressible stuff—near the very high end of what’s available widely on the market. Plus, Marmot paid close attention to plugging drafts, like the tube of down running along the inside of the zip to lock the heat in.

FitThe fit is expansive for easy layering. A combo of elasticized draw cords do a good job of minimizing air space and heat leakage.

CompressibilityThis jacket compresses about the size of a soccer ball or so—that seems fair given how much down it contains.

WeightFor the amount of puff, warmth and protection, the 27 ounces is pretty light.

FeaturesOne of the nicest features of this jacket is what Marmot calls “Angle-Wing Movement.” The sleeves are designed in such a way that when you reach overhead the jacket reaches with you, keeping wrists and belly protected. Another is the four generous pockets for stashing essentials, including two soft-lined outside ones, an inside mesh pocket for drying gloves and keeping water liquid, and another interior zip pocket that doubles as a stuff sack. The hood is generous, with enough room to fit the biggest of helmets and good cinch-ability for tightening it down.

How We Tested It

I wore this all season, whenever it got really cold – standing around on a frigid glacier in Chamonix and winter camping in the Rockies. It’s become my nuclear option. I push the red button all the time.

The products featured in this test have been loaned to the Gear Institute.
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